초록 ▼

Automated dispensing apparatus is disclosed for administering intravenous fluid to a patient under gravity pressure at a controlled volumetric rate, such that deviations from a desired fluid volumetric rate are automatically corrected. The area and maximum width of each fluid drop are measured with

Automated dispensing apparatus is disclosed for administering intravenous fluid to a patient under gravity pressure at a controlled volumetric rate, such that deviations from a desired fluid volumetric rate are automatically corrected. The area and maximum width of each fluid drop are measured with two intersecting light beams. The light beams are either collimated or converging. Use of converging light beams is particularly advantageous when fogging or imperfections are present in the walls of a transparent tube through which the intravenous fluid flows. Apparatus, responsive to the light beams, generates signals representative of drop area and width, and these two parameters are combined to obtain a signal proportional to drop volume. The measured drop volume signal is compared with a rate control signal to automatically correct the fluid flow rate.

대표청구항 ▼

An intravenous fluid regulator apparatus comprising: means for generating a first signal representing a desired rate of introduction of drops of intravenous fluid to a patient, means for sensing the volume of each of said drops of fluid, said sensing means including at least two diffuse light source

An intravenous fluid regulator apparatus comprising: means for generating a first signal representing a desired rate of introduction of drops of intravenous fluid to a patient, means for sensing the volume of each of said drops of fluid, said sensing means including at least two diffuse light sources arranged to produce converging light beams, radiation from each of said converging light beams being selected to lie along light paths perpendicular to each other, said light paths intersecting at a sensing point through which each fluid drop passes, means responsive to said sensing means for generating a second signal bearing a relation to drop volume, and for operatively combining said first and second signals to produce a fluid introduction rate control signal.